Wednesday, August 31, 2011

1337 is the middle building shown in this old (undated) photo that I suspect is from 2005.

The City Paper has an interesting piece on an upcoming (September 9th and 10th) benefit/art installation/music experience at 1337 H Street. Proceeds to go the new artist (live, work, and studio) space at the same location. The City Paper gives the size as 7900 sqft, which is much larger than I would have guessed. The building belongs to restaurant owner (and Thievery Corporation member) Eric Hilton. Hilton has his hands in Marvin, Patty Patty Boom Boom, and American Ice Company. According to the City Paper he plans to open another restaurant or bar in the basement of 1337 H Street.

Michael’s 4th solo exhibition features The Danube Series – drawings created in Romania Summer 2011 and New Studio Paintings

Washington, DC (August 31, 2011) – G Fine Art begins its 10th anniversary season with There is No Rising or Setting Sun, new paintings and works on paper by Maggie Michael. An opening reception will be held Saturday, September 10, 6-8PM, and the exhibition will run through October 15, 2011. Michael’s fourth solo exhibition features a group of works on paper – the Danube Series – executed this summer in Cetate, Romania, following the artist’s recent completion of a large scale mural for the US Embassy in Bucharest, a commission from the US ART in Embassies Program. Paintings executed at the artist’s studio in Washington, DC will also be featured.

The email below went out late last night. Shelton is currently under investigation for stealing near $30,000.00 in public ANC funds. He formerly served as Chair of the Commission, but he resigned that position effective July 5th. As I mentioned last night, ANC 5B has a public meeting tomorrow night. This will be its first public meeting since the scandal broke.

ReadysetDC has details on exciting art event coming to the space that once housed R. L. Christian Library (1300 H Street). The Show highlights all that MuralsDC accomplished over the summer. Come out and enjoy art, music, live art making, and BBQ. There will also be a meet and greets with the Lead Artists, their Student Apprentices and film makers from The Red Line D.C. Project.

DCmud reports the latest developments on the Washington Gateway project. The NoMA development will be done in phases. It's centered near the intersection of Florida and NY Avenues. Phase one will deliver an eleven story building with 400 residential units, and 5,200 sqft of retail space.

I intended to link to this Greater Greater Washington post when it first came out, but better later than never. The author argues that Ward 5 needs more, and smaller ANCs. I could not agree more. All of the three ANCs in Ward 5 have 12 commissioners each. That's way too many commissioners, and way too much space for each commission. When a commission covers such a large area the danger is that commissioners may end up voting on issues with which they are unfamiliar, or with which they may actually have competing interests. Obviously, there are several other good reasons to split the ANCs, but I think the author addresses the points adequately in his article, so I needn't repeat them. Those who've been around a while will recall the difference it made when they split ANC 6A.

Young and Hungry discusses the latest developments with Impala, the Mexican restaurant coming to 1358 H Street. Impala is the brainchild of Troy Hickman. Hickman partnered with Erik Bruner-Yang to create the temporary pop-up Tacos Impala this past fall in the Philadelphia Water Ice space. Hickman's no newcomer to the neighborhood. He's a partner in Jimmy Valentine's Lonely Hearts Club, and he's been involved in multiple build-outs along the Corridor.

A reader writes in that he's been talking to DPR about improving a small triangular park that DPR owns at 8th and K. He's started a blog about the park, and wants other to offer input on what they'd like to see at the space.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

There was a shooting last night on Emerald Place. According to a reader report there was a shooting between 13th and 14th on Emerald. The cops suggest it was a domestic incident ("between two families") and the victim who was taken off in an ambulance. 13th Between E and F was closed as was Emerald between 13th and 14th. The victim was a 52 year old male, and he died from his wound.

Friday, August 26, 2011

A reader alerted me to the story of a 22 year old man who disappeared August 20th. He was last seen on a traffic camera in the 2500 block of Benning Road NE. Here's the text I was sent that appears on the CNN site (I didn't want to change anything for obvious reasons):

A member of the Situation Room family is in need of help. Stephen DeDakis, the son of Situation Room Sr. Copy Editor John DeDakis, is missing. The 22-year-old was last seen in Washington, DC, August 20.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

As we've discussed, the Queen Vic has a new Head Chef (apparently he prefers that title to Executive Chef). The good folks at the Vic have been kind enough to send over a nice bio/press release. Reeves sounds like he'll be a perfect fit for the gastro pub. Check it out:

Born and raised in Gloucestershire, England, Chef Reeves’ early influences are his mother cooking family meals daily and experiencing the local farmers market in Stroud, where his family went every week to pick up local produce and meats. His passion for sourcing local product to create mouth-watering dishes was further fueled by working at various inns, pubs and restaurants in the Gloucestershire area after leaving school.

The blog DC NoMA announces that Italian deli A-Deli will open a location in the former Pound Coffee space at 1300 Second Street NE. This will be the second location for the Herndon based deli that specializes in hoagies and cheese steaks. Just for reference sake, this location is 0.4 miles from A. Litteri , just over a mile from the two closest Taylor Gourmet locations, and just over a mile from Philadelphia Water Ice Factory.

Girl Meets Food celebrated the anniversary of the King's death with the Elvis from Dangerously Delicious Pies (1339 H Street). The Elvis is a banana cream pie with bacon pieces and bits of peanut buttercups. Top it off with whipped cream and fresh bananas and you're done. Wow, that's a hunk of burning love indeed. $6.50 a slice, or $30 for the whole pie.

A Yoga District studio is scheduled to open September 1st at 526 H Street (above Lady's Nails). Yoga District offers classes for all skill levels, and pretty budget friendly. This will be the second yoga studio on H Street. Bikram Yoga Capitol Hill (which offers hot yoga) is located down the street at 410 H Street.

This weekend the Atlas (1333 H Street) hosts the first comedy show in a new series called Comedy on H. DC native Ari Shaffir takes the stage for the weekend. Shaffir hasn't performed in DC in about two years, but he's been plenty busy elsewhere. He's appeared on HBO, Conan O'Brien, and Comedy Central. He's also very involved with the National Lampoon site. The weekly series itself will be mostly open mic format at different H Street locations, with a big name appearing every six weeks or so at the Atlas.

Monday, August 22, 2011

H Street Country Club (1335 H Street) announced via Twitter that they are working on plans to serve brunch. In recent months and increasing number of taverns and restaurants have chosen to serve brunch on weekends. Even more impressively, many of them are also opening for lunch during the week. Awesome news for those who work near the Corridor, or don't work a 9-5.

I know you'll want to read the full press release, but this is exciting and reassuring news for all. DDOT has announced that the H Street / Benning road line will be up and running by mid-2013. They are currently looking an plans for turn arounds and a car barn, and well as other remaining necessities.

Eater announces that Chef Ian Reeves will replace Chef Adam Stein at local British gastropub the Queen Vic (1206 H Street). Stein resigned late last week. No word yet on where he's headed. According to Eater, Reves was most recently employed at London's The Bull and Last. Based on the menu there, it looks like he'll be a fine fit.

Starting today the Pug (1234 H Street) will open at noon Monday through Friday. Opening time on Saturday and Sunday, moves to 10:30am, and earlier when big soccer games dictate (but for now they can't serve alcohol until 10:30). Pug brunch will once again be cooked behind the bar, and keep your eyes peeled for a couple of new brunch menu items in the near future.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Executive Chef Adam Stein has resigned from British Gastropub the Queen Vic (1206 H Street). Stein had been a part of the project since long before the restaurant opened. No word on where Stein is headed, or who will replace him.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Shawafel is the newest eatery to open on H Street. This Lebanese spot serves both lunch and dinner in a laid back (order at the counter) setting. The menu consists primarily of flatbread sandwiches. I opted for the meat shawarma (a mix of lamb and beef) and it was very good. Sandwiches are in the $6-7.50 range, or you can opt for a full platter for $13. There's a starter menu, so don't forget to pick up some tabbouleh when you stop by. A number of Middle Eastern canned and bottled beverages are also available. 1322 H Street. 11am-9pm Sunday-Wednesday, and 11am-3am Thurdsday-Saturday.

Rebuilding Place has a post pondering the future of the Florida Market in light of recent efforts to rebrand the area as Union Market (actually the least commonly used of three names traditionally applied to the Market). BTW, you should totally go to that big ice cream event on Saturday.

You may have already seen this cool image on Twitter and Flickr use in DC, but here it is just in case. That white line sticking out of the right is H Street. If you can't find it just click through to the original photo and you'll find some location tags.

They had a friends and family event last week, and they are treating this week as a soft opening (grand coming next week). I'm planning to head over tonight for some tabouli and shawarma. Shawafel is open for lunch and dinner. 1322 H Street.

A reader reports that Shawafel (1322 H Street), a shawarma and falafel spot, had a soft opening last night and expects to be open for business Monday. Keep an eye out for the artery clogging french fry sandwich (reportedly the only one in town) that features fries, lettuce, tomato, a garlic yogurt spread, and wild cucumber pickles. I first reported on Shawafel back in March for an article in the Hill Rag.

Friday, August 12, 2011

H Street Main Street and CHAMPS (Capitol Hill’s Chamber of Commerce) present the first ever Chalk Walk on H Street. Funded in part by a generous grant from the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Investment Fund, the Chalk Walk is a day-long event that will allow attendees to watch artists working live, in partnership with H Street businesses, to create sidewalk art with the theme, “My Neighborhood is My Business.”

DCentric discusses a new program meant to bring additional retail to H Street. The program provides funds for new and existing "small and unique" retail businesses. There are some restrictions. For instance, the following are not eligible: bars, restaurants, hair salons, barber shops, cell phone shops, or liquor stores. Existing businesses would only be eligible if they do something new that creates jobs for DC residents. Businesses must from on H Street NE between 3rd and 15th. Interested in opening a retail business on H Street? Attend the next session of Street Talk.

It's a little south of H Street, but the opening (Saturday 11-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm) of Capitol Hill Bakery is generating lots of local buzz. The space at 411 18th Street NE was previously home to Cafe Roma (I think it's the same owners). The primary specialty will be cupcakes, but you'll also be able to purchase scones, muffins, cookies, tiramisu, and traditional cakes.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Monday, August 15th, catch the latest installment of the Tall Tales: History of the Cocktail series at Red Palace (1212 H Street). This session focuses on the cocktails of New Orleans (the Ramos Fizz, the Sazerac, the Vieux Carre, ect.). The class starts at 8pm, and costs $25, but that includes the cost of three cocktails.

I received this flyer for the first of the aforementioned pop-up restaurant events coming to the Capitol City (AKA Florida) Market. Union Market is the name for the development going in right where you used to find the flea market on weekends. The event sounds interesting, and they've got a children's ice cream eating contest, free samples, live music, and an art installation.

Housing Complex has more details on the residential development replacing Faith Bible Church on the northwest corner of 14th and Maryland (1350 Maryland Ave). This development is NOT slated to have retail space. It's a straight-up 49 unit condo building. Valor Development anticipates a ground breaking next spring.

Friday, August 05, 2011

Gallery OonH (1354 H Street) presents Music in the Courtyard, a summer long outdoor music series. On Saturday the 13th catch Yamomanem playing New Orleans style jazz. $5 for entry gets you live music from 7:30-9:30.

Brought to you by the Eden Good project (in partnership with the summer youth employment program, DES and DPR). They have lots going on, including cooking and canning demonstration, a farmers market with produce and plants, prizes, and vegan treats to sample. Part of the goal is to draw attention to the new Trinidad Youth Garden (at the Rec). The garden is managed by Eden Good, Inc. (a non-profit), and they are working with kids from the summer jobs program.

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Local blog Two DC compares and contrasts Granville Moore's and Brasserie Beck. While the authors concede that while "[i]n a head to head mussel/frite comparison, Beck might win by a nose (mostly because we like their thin fries better than Granville's thicker cut)...in an overall experience comparison, Granville Moore's takes it by a landslide."

It's a while off, but you might want to mark your calendars now for special screenings of the Best of DC Shorts the weekend of September 17th and 18th at the Atlas. DC Shorts is one of the top film festivals in the country, and features 145 films from over 23 countries.

The City Paper takes a look at a new jazz series coming to the Atlas (1333 H Street). Starting in September Jazz at the Atlas will feature different acts every two weeks. Tickets will be available online starting August 18th.

Homicide Watch D.C. reports on the latest development in the prosecution of the three men accused of killing 71 year old Glen Scarborough on June 18th. Defense attorneys for the men are arguing that their confessions are unreliable, and may have been coerced. The judge found the confessions reliable enough to hold they men, and suggested that the reliability of the confessions was an issue for trial.

Tru Orleans (400 H Street) has rolled out some Monday specials that are easy on the pocketbook. The red beans and rice with andouille sausage, which would normally run you $16, can be had for only $8. All Abita drafts are also half off ($3 instead of $6). I'd call that a pretty good incentive to check the place out if you haven't been yet.